What you need to bring and where to go
To get a Texas driver's license or ID card, you visit a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office in person with proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number. You cannot complete this by mail or online. The DPS runs all licensing in Texas — there is no county-level alternative.
You will need to pass a written test on traffic laws, a vision test, and a driving test (for a license, not an ID card). The whole process takes about 30 to 45 minutes at the office if you pass on your first attempt. If you fail the written or driving test, you can retake it, but you will need to return to the office and pay the retest fee.
Texas charges $16 for an ID card valid for six years, or $33 for a driver's license valid for five years. These fees do not include the cost of the written test or driving test, which are included in the license fee but charged separately if you retake them.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit a DPS office in person with a Real ID-compliant document like a passport or birth certificate, a utility bill or lease showing your Texas address, and your Social Security card or tax return.
- The written test covers Texas traffic laws and road signs; you can study using the official DPS manual available free online before you go.
- The driving test requires you to bring a vehicle registered in Texas and proof of insurance, and a DPS examiner will ride with you for about 10 to 15 minutes.
- You can find your nearest DPS office and check wait times on the Texas DPS website, and many offices allow you to reserve a time slot online.
- If you are under 18, you must complete a driver education course and hold a learner's permit for at least six months before taking the driving test.
Documents you must bring to the DPS office
Bring one document that proves your identity and citizenship. The DPS accepts a U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a consular report of birth abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization. A school ID, work ID, or expired license does not count. If you were born outside the U.S., bring the original document or a certified copy — a photocopy will not work.
Bring one document that proves you live in Texas. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your name and current address works. The document must be dated within the last 30 days. A post office mail forwarding notice does not count. If you live with someone else and do not have a bill in your name, bring a notarized letter from the person whose name is on the bill, plus that person's ID.
Bring proof of your Social Security number. Your Social Security card itself is the easiest option. If you do not have it, bring a W-2 form, tax return, or 1099 form with your full Social Security number printed on it. A letter from the Social Security Administration also works.
If you are renewing a license or ID card, bring the old one. If you are replacing a lost or stolen license, bring a police report or a signed statement saying it is lost. If your name has changed, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the change.
The written test: what to study and how to pass
The written test has 30 multiple-choice questions about Texas traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving. You must answer at least 21 questions correctly to pass. The test covers things like speed limits, right-of-way rules, parking laws, and what different road signs mean.
The DPS publishes the official study guide free on its website as a PDF called the Texas Driver's Handbook. Read through it before you go to the office. The test questions come directly from this handbook, so studying it is the most direct way to prepare. Many people also study using online practice tests, which are free and let you take the test over and over until you feel ready.
You take the written test on a computer at the DPS office. You can take it in English or Spanish. If you fail, you can retake it the same day or come back another day — the DPS will tell you the retest fee when you fail.
The driving test: vehicle requirements and what the examiner checks
For the driving test, you must bring a vehicle registered in Texas and proof of current insurance. The vehicle can be a car, truck, or motorcycle — it must match the type of license you are testing for. The vehicle must have working brakes, steering, lights, windshield wipers, and mirrors. If the vehicle fails a basic safety check, you cannot test that day.
A DPS examiner will sit in the passenger seat while you drive for about 10 to 15 minutes. They will ask you to do things like turn, back up, parallel park, and stop smoothly. They watch for safe speed, proper use of signals, awareness of other traffic, and smooth control of the vehicle. You do not need to drive on the highway — the test is usually in a local area with regular streets and some traffic.
You must pass the vision test before you take the driving test. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them. If you fail the driving test, you can retake it, but you will need to return to the office with the vehicle and insurance proof again.
Special rules if you are under 18
If you are under 18, you must complete a driver education course before you can get a license. This course can be taken online or in person through a school or private provider. The course covers traffic laws and safe driving. After you finish the course, you get a certificate that you bring to the DPS office.
You also must hold a learner's permit for at least six months before you can take the driving test. To get a learner's permit, you pass the written test and vision test at the DPS office, and you pay a fee. With a learner's permit, you can drive only when a licensed adult 21 or older is in the front passenger seat. You cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m.
After you have held the permit for six months and completed the driver education course, you return to the DPS office to take the driving test. If you pass, you get your license.
Finding a DPS office and checking wait times
The Texas DPS website has a tool where you enter your city or zip code and see all nearby offices, their hours, and current wait times. Many offices are open Monday through Friday during business hours, and some have Saturday hours. A few large offices are open on weekends.
Many DPS offices let you reserve a time slot online through the same website. If your office offers this, book a slot ahead of time — it usually cuts your wait from an hour or more down to 15 to 30 minutes. If your office does not offer online reservations, you can walk in, but arrive early because wait times can be long during lunch hours and late afternoon.
If you cannot get to an office near you, you can travel to any DPS office in Texas. Your license will be mailed to your Texas address within one to two weeks after you pass all tests.
What happens after you pass
After you pass the written test, vision test, and driving test, you pay the license fee at the DPS office. You will get a temporary paper license that day, valid for 30 days. Your permanent plastic license card will be mailed to the address you provided, usually within one to two weeks.
Your Texas driver's license is valid for five years from the date it is issued. Your ID card is valid for six years. You can renew by mail or online before your card expires — the DPS will send you a notice about 60 days before expiration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the driving test in a vehicle that is not registered in my name?
Yes, as long as the vehicle is registered in Texas and you have proof of current insurance. The vehicle does not have to be registered to you. Many people borrow a family member's car for the test.
What if I fail the written test?
You can retake it the same day or come back another day. There is a retest fee each time you take it. You must pass before you can take the driving test. There is no limit to how many times you can retake it.
Do I need a learner's permit if I am over 18?
No. If you are 18 or older, you can go straight to the DPS office, pass the written and vision tests, and take the driving test the same day. You do not need to hold a permit first or complete a driver education course.
What if my birth certificate is not certified?
The DPS requires a certified copy, which has a raised seal or official stamp from the vital records office that issued it. A photocopy or an uncertified original will not work. You can order a certified copy from the Texas Vital Statistics office or the state where you were born.
Can I get a license if I do not have a Social Security number?
No. Texas law requires a Social Security number to get a driver's license or ID card. If you do not have one, you must explore for one through the Social Security Administration first.